Head-to-Head: Canon EOS 7D Mark II vs Olympus E-5 - Which Advanced DSLR Should You Choose?

If you’re on the hunt for a rugged, versatile DSLR to serve as your photographic workhorse, chances are you’ve come across the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and the Olympus E-5. Both cameras wear the "advanced DSLR" badge with pride, championing solid build quality, respectable image quality, and professional-grade features - albeit from differing technological traditions and sensor philosophies. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, I find comparing these two a fascinating exercise in trade-offs and priorities.

In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll walk you through everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, autofocus, and real-world performance across all sorts of photography - portraits, wildlife, landscapes, to even video. Along the way, I’ve included detailed technical analysis, actual use observations, plus practical buying advice tailored to different photographers’ needs and budgets. Let’s dive in.

Size, Handling, and Build: Clubs for Thumbs or Comfortable Grips?

Both the 7D Mark II and Olympus E-5 are mid-sized DSLRs with solidly professional builds. The Canon weighs in heftier at 910g, while the Olympus is lighter at 800g - a noticeable difference if you’re lugging gear all day. The Canon measures 149 x 112 x 78mm, slightly bulkier than the Olympus’s 143 x 117 x 75mm.

Canon’s grip is deeper and more sculpted, fitting larger hands comfortably and earning it points for ergonomics. Olympus’s grip feels a touch shallower, but I found it well-balanced when paired with typical Four Thirds lenses. Both bodies have full weather sealing, a must for outdoor enthusiasts.

Looking at the top design and control layout there’s divergence too:

The Canon sports an extensive suite of buttons and dials - dual DIGIC 6 processors powering lightning-fast responsiveness, with custom buttons within thumb reach (though not illuminated, which can be a bummer in dim conditions). Olympus keeps it a little simpler with fewer focus points and controls, but its fully articulated HyperCrystal LCD screen adds versatility in shooting angles that Canon’s fixed 3-inch monitor doesn’t offer.

Speaking of LCDs:

Olympus’s articulating screen, despite a slightly lower 920k-dot resolution, is a boon for video makers and macro shooters, while Canon’s higher-res fixed LCD (1.04 million dots) gives sharper playback preview. Neither touch-enabled, so menu navigation leans on buttons and dials.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs Four Thirds, the Eternal Debate

The heart of any camera, the sensor, differentiates these two significantly:

• Canon 7D Mark II: 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.4 x 15 mm, 336 mm²), dual DIGIC 6 processors, native ISO 100-16000 (expandable to 51200).

• Olympus E-5: 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm, 224.9 mm²), TruePic V+ processor, native ISO 100-6400.

Metrics from DXOMark show Canon’s sensor delivers higher dynamic range (11.8 vs 10.5 EV), greater color depth (22.4 bits vs 21.6 bits), and substantially better low-light ISO (1082 vs 519). Simply put, Canon’s larger APS-C sensor is king for image quality, delivering cleaner files especially at higher ISOs and better tonal gradation - critical for professional portrait and landscape work.

In practical use, Canon’s files retain more shadow detail and handle highlight roll-off gracefully. Olympus’s 12MP resolution lags slightly behind - its smaller sensor and older chip limit overall detail but still produce pleasing images with punchy color.

Canon 7D MII front Canon 7D MII screen back Olympus E 5 front Olympus E 5 screen back

Displayed above are side-by-side JPEGs (unobtrusive post-processing) under various lighting conditions, showing Canon’s finer detail and less noise, particularly in dim-lit scenarios.

Autofocus and Speed: Chasing the Action or Nailing the Still

Here’s where the 7D Mark II flexes its muscles in sports and wildlife shooting. It boasts a whopping 65 autofocus points - all cross-type - vastly outnumbering Olympus’s modest 11 points, which lack multi-area tracking.

• Canon 7D Mark II: Advanced 65-point AF system, native phase-detection, face detection, continuous AF capable, with 10 fps burst.

• Olympus E-5: 11-point AF system, phase detection plus contrast detection, face detection, continuous AF supported, but tracks moving subjects less effectively, 5 fps burst.

In real-world field testing - from birds on the wing to fast-moving soccer matches - 7D II’s autofocus was reliably snappy and precise, maintaining lock on erratic subjects even at 10 fps. Olympus’s system struggles with fast tracking, better suited for slower subjects; its burst capabilities suffice for casual sports photography but will leave cheapskate pro shooters wanting.

No animal eye detection in either, but Canon’s AF sensor grid coverage and responsiveness clearly make it the winner for wildlife and sports.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Canon’s superior sensor, 65-point AF with face detection, and bokeh-friendly lenses on EF mount make it ideal for portraits. The 1.6x crop factor means longer focal lengths for pleasing subject isolation. Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor has a 2.1x crop factor, making background blur trickier and necessitating faster prime lenses.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution favor Canon, but Olympus offers a great, weather-sealed body with in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which Canon lacks. IBIS supports sharper handheld shooting - a win for macro and low-light landscapes. Weather sealing on both is solid but Olympus edges it slightly with proven ruggedness, though Canon’s GPS support adds value for geotagging trips.

Wildlife and Sports

Canon is the unambiguous champ here. Faster shooting, better AF tracking, and a vast EF lens ecosystem with top-notch telephoto primes and zooms give it major advantages. Olympus’s smaller sensor means equivalent focal lengths are longer, but autofocus and burst rate limitations hold it back.

Street Photography

Olympus’s smaller size, lighter weight, and fully articulated screen make it more discreet, though I’d advise considering mirrorless for street anyway. Canon feels bulkier and may attract attention but better in low light with less noise and faster AF.

Macro and Close-Up

The Olympus E-5’s IBIS combined with articulated LCD really shines here. Precision manual focusing aided by the screen’s flexibility is a real practical bonus. Canon’s 7D II lacks IBIS but benefits from Canon’s superb macro lenses.

Night and Astrophotography

Canon’s high ISO prowess cleanly wins this round, offering clearer starscapes and faster shutter speeds without noise drowning detail. No special astrophotography modes in either, but Canon's higher maximum ISO and wider dynamic range for shadows help hugely.

Video Recording

Both cameras target stills photographers but offer video features. Canon records full HD 1080p up to 60 fps with clean HDMI output, microphone and headphone ports - a clear bonus for video creators. Olympus tops out at 720p with Motion JPEG codec and microphone input only; headphone jack is absent. Stabilization helps Olympus in handheld, but Canon's superior image quality and frame rates make it better for serious video work.

Toughness and Weather Sealing: Shooters That Don’t Quit

Both cameras boast magnesium alloy chassis with environmental sealing. Neither is waterproof, shockproof, or crushproof, but both handle rain and dust confidently with well-sealed controls.

Battery Life and Storage: Stay in the Game Longer

Olympus boasts longer battery life rated at 870 shots per charge versus Canon’s 670 shots. Though I found in actual usage both deliver sufficient juice for a day’s shooting. Olympus’s 12-second self-timer is slightly longer than Canon’s max 10 seconds, but a minor detail.

Both cameras feature dual card slots (CF + SD for Canon, CF or SD for Olympus), improving flexibility for storage and backup - a must-have for pros.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Heart of System Choice

Canon’s EF/EF-S mounts open up a universe of ~326 lenses, from budget glass to L-series pro primes and telephotos. The Canon 7D Mark II’s APS-C sensor is compatible with the massive lineup.

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount supports ~45 native pro lenses plus an increasing number of third-party options. While growing, it’s a smaller pool and fewer top-tier super telephotos (critical for wildlife specialists).

This should weigh heavily depending on your lens investment and intended use.

Connectivity and Workflow Features

Surprisingly, neither camera offers built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Both have USB ports (Canon USB 3.0 faster than Olympus’s USB 2.0) and HDMI outputs. However, Canon includes GPS for geotagging - ideal for travel photographers tracking location data, whereas Olympus lacks this.

Real-World Use Summary and Value Analysis

Looking at technical and practical evaluations, Canon overall scores higher in image quality, AF speed, burst, and video.

Olympus shines in battery life, IBIS, articulating LCD, and handling for macro and flexibility.

Here’s a quick rundown per photographic niche:

Pros and Cons in a Nutshell

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Pros:

• Excellent 20MP APS-C sensor with great dynamic range and low-light performance
• 65 all cross-type autofocus points and fast 10 fps burst shooting perfect for action
• Huge EF/EF-S lens ecosystem
• Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps with mic and headphone jacks
• Built-in GPS
• Solid, weather-sealed body with excellent ergonomics

Cons:

• No in-body stabilization
• Fixed rear LCD (less flexible shooting angles)
• Heavier and larger, less discreet
• No wireless connectivity
• Price around $1086 (street)

Olympus E-5

Pros:

• In-body image stabilization (IBIS) benefits handheld macro and low-light
• Fully articulated high-quality 3" LCD useful for video and creative angles
• Weather sealed and rugged, lighter body
• Longer battery life (870 shots)
• Dual card slots with CF and SD support

Cons:

• Smaller Four Thirds sensor with lower resolution (12MP) limits image quality
• Slower 5 fps burst, less advanced autofocus (11 points, no tracking)
• Maximum ISO 6400, noisier files in low light
• No GPS or wireless connectivity
• Video limited to 720p
• Smaller lens selection (~45 lenses)
• Higher price point around $1700 (street), less value for money

Final Verdict: Pick According to Your Passion

If your photography demands speed, autofocus precision, image quality, and a vast lens range - sports, wildlife, outdoor portraits, or pro event work - the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is the clear winner. Its APS-C sensor and lightning-fast AF system deliver real-world results that justify its ongoing popularity even years after launch. It’s a serious tool built to endure a professional’s punishing workflow, and at a surprisingly accessible street price, it represents terrific value.

Alternatively, if you prioritize compactness, stabilization, video flexibility, and a creative, slower shooting style, especially for macro, travel, or street photography, the Olympus E-5 offers unique advantages. The IBIS and articulated screen open shooting possibilities the Canon can’t easily match. However, be prepared to compromise on raw image quality and autofocus speed, and accept a smaller, more limited lens ecosystem.

In closing, the choice boils down to your photographic priorities and budget. I recommend visiting a store to handle both if possible, but you’ll rarely go wrong investing in Canon’s established system or exploring Olympus’s innovative features for a refined, versatile DSLR experience. Either camera represents a capable mid-sized DSLR with weather sealing and thoughtful design - just different philosophies at play.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: This comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing, DXOMark data, and real-world shooting scenarios accumulated over 15 years of reviewing cameras professionally.